It’s always a plus to have an arsenal of craft supplies on hand whenever the weather doesn’t cooperate with outdoor plans. Then, there’s those inevitable cries of boredom. Early spring weather is always unpredictable. So, when the calendar hits March and spring is just around the corner, be ready for those inevitable showers with an array of spring crafts for kids.
Craft projects are a perfect pick for getting the kiddos to put down the devices. They’re also wonderful for sparking creativity as well as working those very important fine motor skills. Spring crafts don’t have to be super involved or messy to be fun, either. Here are some simple craft projects to have on hand this spring for a rainy day or any day.
Spring crafts for kids
Construction paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, watercolors, pipe cleaners, and washable paint are craft staples to keep in the house when you have kids. Those toilet paper rolls are earmarked for crafts, too. They’re great for toddlers but still useful when the kids head off to school for homework and projects.
Arts and crafts nights are an awesome way to plan some family time, too. Doing crafts has all sorts of health benefits for kids and adults. So, this spring if you need some inspiration, here are easy crafts kids of all ages.
Coffee filter butterflies
Butterflies are always a welcome sign for spring. They just make you smile, and kids absolutely love them. There are a couple of different ways to create colorful butterflies using those white Mr. Coffee filters. The simplest way is with thick markers and pipe cleaners. Before you let little ones get started making coffee filter butterflies, be sure to cover the workspace with a plastic tablecloth. Markers will most certainly bleed through the thin coffee filters.
To create colorful butterflies, kids fill in the filters with the markers. They can make designs or splotches or color in the filters. When they’re finished, scrunch up the coffee filters and fold a pipe cleaner in half around the middle. Wrap it tightly around, using both sides of the pipe cleaner. This forms the butterfly’s wings. Leave about an inch or two on each end of the pipe cleaner to form the antennas.
Another way to make coffee filter butterflies is to use watercolor paints instead of markers. Kids use the paints to color in the coffee filters. Before attaching the pipe cleaner, allow time for the painted filters to dry. They can use clothespins to create the butterflies in place of pipe cleaner. If you have googly eyes laying around, kids can glue two on under the antennas.
Egg carton flowers
Nothing says spring like a bouquet of flowers. If you’re looking for a simple spring craft for the kiddos, try making egg carton flowers. Paper egg cartons work much better than Styrofoam ones. Before you sit the kids down, cut the lid off of the egg carton. For larger flowers, cut the bottom of the egg carton into three sections. Each section will have four egg holders. For smaller flowers, cut the egg carton into 12 singles.
Next, cover the workspace with a throwaway tablecloth. Then, put different colors of washable paint onto paper plates. Kids should completely paint the inside and outside of the egg carton to create a flower. Allow the egg carton flowers to dry before attaching a stem.
For the single egg carton flowers, an adult can hot glue a green pipe cleaner to the back to form a stem. With the four egg carton flowers, you would need something sturdier, like a thick straw, to form the stem. Once the stems are glued on and dried, kids can place these crafty flowers in a vase. The result makes for a fun centerpiece.
Paper plate flowers
Preschool teachers would be lost without a huge stack of paper plates. There are so many cool spring crafts you can make with a package of plain white paper plates. Set up an array of bright colors on paper plates or in paper cups for them to use.
Give kids some white paper plates to paint. Large or small white paper plates work. Let children paint their flowers whatever colors they like. Some may make a design, while others just use one color. It’s always a good idea to let kids use their imagination when making crafts. So, don’t worry if there are some blue or black flowers. Once the flower tops are dried, glue on a popsicle stick to create stems. Kids can also paint the popsicle stick green if they like. If you’re not a huge fan of paint, paper plate flowers can be made with markers, too.
If kids don’t want to make flowers, cut the paper plates in half to create butterfly wings. Kids color or paint the wings. Then, glue the wings to the back of a large popsicle stick. Pipe cleaner pieces can be glued on the top of the stick for antennas. For a splash of color, paint the popsicle stick first before attaching the wings.
Tissue paper flowers
Another craft staple is tissue paper. It’s inexpensive and easy for kids to work with. There are a couple of ways to make tissue paper flowers. Kids can draw a simple flower on a piece of construction paper. You can draw a flower or download and print a free template online.
For younger kids, you can pre-cut small to medium pieces of tissue paper using different colors. Older children can cut or tear pieces on their own. Then, brush or spread glue on a section of the flower and have kids fill it in using the ripped pieces of tissue paper. It’s better to apply the glue in sections instead of all at once since some kids work slower than others. Kids can scrunch up the pieces, leave them flat, or use a mixture. Allow them to experiment, and you’ll be amazed at the cool flowers kids come up with on their own.
Thumbprint flowers
Finger painting is a lot of fun for kids. Not so much for parents. If you don’t mind paint-filled fingers, try making these thumbprint flowers. All you need is different colored finger paint and paper. Put finger paint on paper plates, but be sure to cover the surface first. Have baby wipes nearby for a quick wipe before heading to the sink.
Creating thumbprint flowers is very simple. Use a thumbprint to make the center of the flower on the paper. Then, use a thumb or another fingerprint to create the petals. Another way is to draw stems or a branch and have kids use their fingertip prints to make the flowers.
There is quite a bit of artistic inspiration that comes from spring. If your kids enjoy doing art projects, give these simple spring crafts for kids a go. They’re ideal for rainy days or any day when there’s some downtime. The great thing about these spring crafts is that kids can make their own butterflies and flowers before the ones in the garden start to show up.
